Trenching 101: The Down-and-Dirty Way to Fix Your Sewer Line

Trenching a Sewer Line: Is It the Right Fix or Just a Dirty Mess?

Let’s be honest—if you’ve got a broken sewer line, you’re probably not having the best day. Between the nasty smells and the potential for a backyard swamp, you just want it fixed. Fast.

But with so many repair options out there, how do you know which one to choose?

Here at Valley Plumbing, we’ve wrangled more sewer lines than we can count all across Southern California. We know pipes, and we know how confusing the choices can be. That’s why we’re breaking things down in plain English (with a little humor thrown in), so you can make the right call for your home—without losing your sanity.

Today, let’s talk about one of the oldest tricks in the book: trenching.

Wait… What Is Trenching, Anyway?

Trenching is exactly what it sounds like—digging a trench in your yard to get to the busted pipe underneath. It’s the old-school way of repairing sewer lines, but don’t let that fool you—it’s still a solid, dependable option.

Sometimes, going back to basics is the best move.

When Does Trenching Make Sense?

Trenching might be your best bet if:

✅ The damaged section of pipe is under 6 feet
✅ You’re okay with a little yard disruption
✅ You’re a fan of the “rip it out and replace it” approach

But maybe don’t go the trenching route if:

❌ The damage is minor (think cracks, not chaos)
❌ You just planted a fancy new lawn you don’t want torn up
❌ The pipe problem stretches more than 6 feet

Basically, trenching is like surgery for your pipes—effective, but not the most subtle.

What Happens During a Trenching Job?

If you call Valley Plumbing (which you totally should), here’s what you can expect from the trenching process:

1. Finding the Offending Pipe
   We use special tools to locate exactly where your sewer line is and mark the area we’ll be digging. No guesswork here!

2. Calling in the Pros (aka DigAlert)
   Before we touch a shovel, we make sure we know where all the utility lines are hiding—gas, electric, water, you name it. Safety first!

3. The Big Dig
   Our team will dig about two feet around the broken pipe so we can fully expose and remove the damaged section.

4. Laying the Foundation
   We don’t just toss in a new pipe and call it a day. We compact the area to give your new pipe a solid bed to rest on. (No one likes a saggy sewer line.)

5. New Pipe, Who Dis?
   Your shiny new pipe gets installed and properly connected.

6. Testing, Testing
   We run a camera and water through the new line to make sure everything flows like it’s supposed to. No backups allowed.

7. Back to Normal
   Once we know the job is solid, we fill the trench back in and do our best to leave your yard graded to the level we found it.

So, Is Trenching Right for You?

If your pipe problem is small but mighty—and you don’t mind a bit of dirt flying—then trenching might be your fastest route back to peace, quiet, and a stink-free yard.

At Valley Plumbing, we’re all about making the process easy, stress-free, and maybe even a little fun (if you're into watching heavy machinery do its thing). We plan every repair carefully so you get the best results with the least amount of hassle.

Ready to Dig In?

Give us a call  or schedule online—we’ll walk you through it and get you on the schedule ASAP.